Thanks for the great info! I’ll definitely try this out and post my results.

- Erich

http://www.ehow.com/how_5549619_make-paper-cattails.html

Couple things the article doesn’t go into much:

1) Make sure that the seeds are truly fully matured/dry – the fluff is quite water resistant so the “dryer” the better. And don’t be surprised if it takes a little work to get all those fluffy little buggers completely submerged in your kettle.

2) I found working with about 5 seed heads at a time worked better. Smaller kettle, less fuss – really a matter of preference to be honest

3) Step 3 is critical – rinsing until the water is basically clear (much like the process for removing tannins) Don’t skimp on this step or you’ll end up with lumpy, blotched results.

4) TIP: You can buy a single sheer door or window curtain at a major outlet for a couple bucks (or less on sale) which makes an ideal strainer (large enough) for the clear rinsing process of the pulp.

5) Some people like to blend the pulp after rinsing (typically no more than a cup or so at a time) – it does add some “quality” to the dried sheets, but unless you’re willing to dedicate your blender solely for papermaking, I don’t recommend this.

6) An old screen door or window make decent drying screens – but another quick alternative is to buy some ‘pest mesh’ (comes in rolls at most garden or hardware outlets) and tack the corners to a simple wooden frame. The biggest thing with your mesh drying rack is that the mesh itself is small/tight enough so as to not allow the pulp to “droop” through and reasonably flat/even across the surface.

Hope that helps. If I ever manage to find (or buy another) my usb cord for my digital camera, I’ll upload some of my finished paper results and post a link. I really love it – great for LOTS of things – but not sure how “useful” it would be in a survival situation. (I’d had to waste all the work on fancy homemade toilet paper *grin*)

It’s a fairly lengthy/labor intensive process – but for veteran paper crafters, cattail fluff is surprisingly easy to work with and with some pretty wonderful results

Thanks again for the comments. I do plan on doing some of what you listed when I get into utilitarian purposes of local plants. I agree, cattails are a wonderful utilitarian plant. You mentioned paper being made from the cattail down, I’ve never heard of that one. Do you know the process in doing that? I’d love to try that.

Also, dunno if you were going to post this but some other AMAZING uses for the cattails aside from the edibles – which I’ve had direct experience with.

1) the seeded “hotdogs” make EXCELLENT torches and/or punks when dipped in tree pitch or kerosene. They also keep bugs away better than any citronella candle.

2) The mucus or “jelly like” substance you get in the spring when pulling shoots, if saved and scraped off in a bag or jar makes an EXCELLENT surface analgesic and coagulant. (Great to place on cuts, insect bites, scratches and burns)

3) The fronds or long leaves can be used as cordage, provide excellent thatching material and can even be caned or woven into baskets, sleeping mats, etc. (Some were recently dug up in a paleo-indian cave and dated to be at least 10,000 years old and yet still relatively solid and in-tact)

4) The “fluff” from seeded pods can be used to make paper quite easily, but more importantly makes outstanding kindling starter. It can also be used as insulation or stuffing (though many people report hives or allergic reactions if the actual seeded material comes in too much close, constant contact with the skin) – best to use a good insulating material between the stuffing and the skin.

Cattails really are an amazing utility plant as well as a food source. I get amazed that most people view them merely as nuisance “pond weeds”.

Thanks for reading! Yes I’ve heard the same thing with regards to cattails and pollutants. I know the young shoots when eaten raw can be harmful if taken from polluted waters and should at least be cooked (although heavy metals cannot be cooked away). However, I’m not so sure about the rhizomes. I do imagine that they absorb some of the pollutants as well.

However, for survival purposes, you may not have the luxury so in my opinion anything goes.

Couple quick questions:

1) I’ve been told that its not a good idea to take cattails near a roadway because they soak up the heavy metal from carbon emissions given off by passing cars. Do you know if this is true for the rhizome as much as the shoots in spring?

2) Also, the most accessible colony of cattails NOT by the roadside near me, are bordering a river rather known for its polluted condition. I’m guessing this is probably not a good spot to harvest ‘edible’ cattail from either?

Thanks again for the great article!